Multiple position switch with built in memory



G. W. COX

Jan. 20, 1959 MULTIPLE POSITION SWITCH WITH BUILT IN MEMORY Filed Feb. 28, 1955 v Cox,

Geo/9e INVENTOR. W714 United States Patent i MULTIPLE POSITION SWITCH WITH BUILT IN MEMORY I Application February 28, 1955, Serial No. 490,791

3 Claims. (Cl. 200-167) This invention has to do with electrical equipment and more particularly with electrical switches.

Some of the present day electronic equipment comprise complicated arrang'ement of electric structure and the number of switches incorporated into a single unit in order to place in operation certain circuits is often a very large number. When these switches are actuated, very often, there is no way of determining Whether the switches are closed or open unless they are actuated again to so ascertain. As a result switches are often left open that should be closed or should be closed that are left open. I

The principal object of this invention is to provide a double throw normal off switch with built-in memory that will provide a switch for actuating an electrical circuit and at the same time provide another switch for placing in operation electrical structure for determining the circuit that has been placed in or is not in operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a double throw normal 01f switch with built-in memory that is readily assembled, has few structural elements and is economical to manufacture.

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating and having embodied therein the present invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevation view illustrating the present invention and the relationship of the switches to the members for actuating them.

Figure 3 is a schematic view of the present invention illustrating the sequence of operation of the switches.

Referring to the drawing for a more detailed description of the present invention designates a T-shaped body having a pair of parallel, spaced-apart sides 12 and 14, a base 16 integral with each side, and a cross-member or cap 18 parallel to said base and integral with said sides.

The cap 18 has a pair of spaced apart openings 20 therein for receiving screws to secure the body 10 to a chassis or the like. Spaced midway between the openings 20 is another opening through which extends the elongated handle 22 that is pivotally mounted in the cap 18 and rotates about screw 24. The handle 22 has an extension 26 thereon which extends into the body 10, between sides 12 and 14. The free end of the extension 26 being approximately midway between the cap 18 and the base 16.

Formed in each side 12 and 14 are openings into which is threaded, pressed or inserted spring loaded switches 28 and 30. Each switch has corresponding terminals 32 thereon and corresponding push buttons 34 and 36. One of the switches energizes or closes a circuit and the other de-energizes or opens the same circuit. Each switch, 28 and 30, is so positioned in the sides 12 and 14 that when the extension 26 is parallel to sides 12 and 14 the buttons 34 and 36 are in contacting relationship therewith and, in the absence of any force being applied to handle 22, retains the extension in the said position.

Spaced from each switch 28 and 30 toward base 16 2,870,299 Patented Jan. 20, 1959 ICE and constructed in each side 12 and 14 are openings, similar to those receiving switches 28 and 30, to receive switches 38 and 40. However, switches 38 and 40 are of the type that require a greater force to actuate than to hold and are commonly known as bi-stable snap action switches. Each switch 38 and 40 has corresponding terminals 41 and push buttons 43 and 45. Constructed in side 12 is a slot 42 that communicates with the openings for switches 28 and 38. Projecting from edge 44 of side 12 through the side and spanning the distance between the walls of the slot is a clamping screw 46 for clamping the switches 28 and 38 in the predetermined position. A similar construction is provided in side 14 where a slot 48 is formed and through which extends a screw 50 from edge 52 of the side and for the same purpose.

The free end of the extension 26 has a notch 54 therein, and pin 56 extends through the free end and the we. is of the notch. The pin 56 engages legs 58 and 60 defining a notch in an elongated arm 62. The base 16 has an opening centrally located therein into which one end of the arm 62 extends and pivots about pin 64.

The switches 38 and 40 are positioned in sides 12 and 14 in such a manner as to have buttons 43 and 45 always in contact with arm 62.

Secured in the free end of handle 22 is a lamp 66 that is actuated by switch 38 through lead 68 being connccted to the lamp and terminal 41.

The operation of the invention is as follows and attention is directed to Figure 3 of the drawings.

Assume the switches 28, 30, 38 and 40 to be in the full line position illustrated in Figure 3. Either switch 38 or 40 will always be actuated. Switch 40 is illustrated as being actuated which is indicative of the fact that switch 38 is open and lamp 66 is out. This in turn indicates that switch 28 is not closed and therefore the circuit energized by closing switch 28 is not functioning. The arm 62 under the impetus of switch 38 is holding the switch 40 in the position illustrated.

In order to actuate a circuit through switch 28 the handle 22 is moved to the right as viewed in Figures 1 and 2. The extension 26 urges the button 34 to the left. The pin 56 in the free end of the extension 26 engages leg 58 to pivot the arm 62 to the left which depresses button 43 to urge it to the left as well. This results in closing the circuit actuated by the switch 28 and 38. In the case of switch 38 the lamp 66 is lighted. The handle 22 may then be released and under the urging of spring loaded switch 28 it and the extension 26 is returned to the position illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive. The circuit of which switch 28 is a part is still closed. It is necessary to actuate switch 30 before the circuit energized or closed by switch 28 is opened. The arm 62 remains in the position in which it was moved by the extension 26 due to the difference between the reacting forces of switches 38 and 40. The button 43 remains in the position to which it was moved. The lamp 66 being on indicates that switch 28 has been actuated. Therefore, in order to determine whether the circuit to be energized has been or not it is only necessary to look at the light in the free end of the handle 22. To de-energize the circuit actuated by switch 28 the reverse operation is performed. Switch 30 is actuated to open the circuit, but switch 40 does not open the circuit closed by switch 38. The arm 62 is moved to actuate switch 49 but the button 43 of switch 38 is released from its depressed position and the circuit energized thereby is deenergized.

While in order to comply with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the 3 invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise a preferred form of, putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A double throw switch with built-in memory comprising a body; a handle pivotally mounted in the body; a pair of opposed, spring loaded switches mounted in the body, each of which is in biased engagement with and actuated by said handle; means interconnected to said handle; at least one spring loaded switch mounted in the body that is in biased engagement with and actuated by said means; and an indicator lamp actuated by said one switch to indicate operation of one of the pair of opposed switches.

2. A double throw switch with built-in memory comprising a body; a handle pivotally mounted in the body; a pin in the free end of said handle; a pair of opposed, spring loaded switches mounted in the body, each of Which is in biased engagement with and actuated by said handle; means engaged by said pin and pivotally mounted in said body in opposed relationship to said handle; at least one spring loaded switch mounted in the body that is in biased engagement with and actuated by said means;

and an indicator lamp actuated by said one switch to indicate operation of one of the pair of opposed switches.

3. A double throw switch with built-in memory comprising a body; a handle pivotally mounted in the body; a pin in the free end of said handle; a pair of opposed, spring loaded switches mounted in the body, each of which is in biased engagement with and actuated by said handle; means engaged by said pin and pivotally mounted in said body in opposed relationship to said handle; at least one spring loaded switch mounted in the body that is in biased engagement with and actuated by said means; and an indicator lamp actuated by said one switch to indicate operationof one of the pair of opposed switches; said means being an arm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,391,881 Clay Jan. 1, 1946 2,471,838 Ross May 31, 1949 2,648,728 Bollhoefer Aug. 11, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 569,965 Great Britain June 15, 1945 605,380 Great Britain July 22, 1948 457,398 Canada June 14, 1949 

